The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-02-11

SildlltT uttdllS tOuttIhliB ~ ihuttuf ~
had been very innocent offeDse from
first TO last.
At Grants words Massareene's face
flames, and a sudden fire brightens his
eyes. At the moment it is easy to see
that there is little love lost between the
two men.
"You meanr' says Massareene, a little
sharply, taking a step forward.
"Just what I said, dear boy-that you
were eminently sober. Could / have
borne higher testimony to your charac-
terp Miss Grey-as you seem to have some
doubts about the accuracy OF my state
ment-will, / am sure, corroborate what
/ have just said"
"I refuse to give my countenance to
anything you may chance to say" re-
turns Millicent, in a low tone, but with
flashing eyes.
She has understood the drift of her
cousins remarks, and bitterly resents
them. She may not be overland always
to Massareene, but she will permit no
one else to be uncfvil to him.
"Whatr' cries Boyle, gayly, arching
his brows and lifting his shoulders In
foreign fashion t1nst either belongs to him
or has been cultivated to nicely, ''you
disagree with met You really think
that our friends extremely-er-em-
presse manner, his hurried entrance, etc,
meant - the -er-the other thing'
Really, dear Massareene, l would not
stand that If l were you. You look as IL
you would like to murder somebody'--
with light laugh-"that is the standing
condition Of your countrymen, ehf Why
not call Miss Grey out''
"Dueling is out of fashion, and one
only horsewhips men," replies Massa-
reene, meaningly with his eyes fixed
steadily upon his opponent
"Oh, but a duel under such conditions
that cannot be out of fashion, as 1t
has never yet come in. Why not set it'
Be a leader of 1t? And a tete a tete with
Miss Grey, even under such equivocal cir
cumstances, might not be altogether
without its charm"
He throws out this last taunt quite
airily--making even slight movement Of
the hand that somehow adds to the ag-
gressive impertinence of it,
Massareene throws up his head, as
though scenting battle, and his face
pales. Millicent, marking these signs Of
coming storm, enters the breach hastily.
81 do think, Grant" she says, glancing
insolently at her cousin from bereath
half closed lids, "that when you try to
be amusing you are the most unpardon
ably stupid person l ever met Your
Jokes always make me feel inclined to
weep"
SIN this instancep" demands he
quickly, his face darkening and an evil
light coming into his eyes.
"And in every other. One yawns
enough in all conscience as one goes
through life without being compelled to
do it by those who would fain believe
haN cti 1onnbtar Give n
dear Granit comedy is beyond you-the
heavy business suits you better"
A glance at her cousin convinces her
that she has amply revenged herself His
brow is as black as midnight, and his
mouth has taken the old expression that
means mischief. Massareene, too, has
added to his discontinue by breaking
into gay laugh, that rOuses Mrs. Brand
from her perusal of a review, as scurril-
Gus as it is just, of book written by a
friend of hers, that she finds of engross-
ing interest-the review, that is, not the
book.
"What is itT' asks she, looking up in
high good humor. Really, the review
has quite exceeded her expectations. "If
it is anything amusing pray let me hear
1t. l have been so put out by very
harsh criticism on dear Fanny Ellwood's
me. Some little jest of yours, Granit'
Come, tell it to me, though must say,
my DEAR you look more like an Othelio
this moment than one born in a merry
hour All, here comes tea at lastl Just
move my chair little, will your Thanks,
dear Grant,. am fast becoming an old
woman, ehy'
Grant, is in Just such pleasant mood
as urges him to tell her she is already
amongst the frosts and SHOWS Of life; but
prudence-a feeling more powerful with
him than most others--restrains him.
He is obliged, however, to move her
chair into the exact position pointed out,
and to perform divers other small SER
vices for her with a smiling face and ap-
parently willing air, while grinding
under the thought that he is leaving the
other two free to carry on a low CONVEX
sation uninterrupted.
'How angry you were about Grants
innuendo just now," whispers she,
drawing her skirts aside that he may drop
upon the low lounge beside her. "You
need not have been. Did you think
never heard Of that one little fiasco of
yours, chr"
She leans toward him and smiles lit
tie. The young man starts and colors
hotly. Yet her smile is SO sweet, so kind
never has her manner been so replete
with gentleness as now.
"You knew-you heardY'-stammers
he.
"Why, yes. Was 1t such = mighty Sc
cret, such an awful crime' Did you
think ! could not condone-forgive9'
She is still smiling on him, her beauti-
full eyes riveted upon his. Massareene' 8
heart is beating passionately. He feels as
If he can scarcely breathe-and yet he is
breathing more freely than he has done
for long time, now that he knows she
knows, and that after all she can tolerate
him. Nay, it is surely more than tolera-
ton
''You are an angel" murmurs he in
turn. Obi the rapture of this whispered
conversations The knowledge that they
are-if not in body, at least in spirit
alone! "But it was my one offense.
pray you to believe that Afterward |
met you. And then--then it would have
been impossibler'
Her color pales slightly as she looks
| into the loving eyes bent on hers. He
has put out his hand in his earnestness
and laid it upon hers-a strong hand,
slightly Drowned, MS a mans should be,
and very handsome. Somehow the
strength of 1t appeals to her, sits owner
/ like it--frm, resolutei He has, at all
events, been almost obstinately persist
ent in his courtship, ctinging TO hope
| when there was none TO be seen any
where, and steadfastly adhering 10 the be
lief that "all things come to him who
knows how to wait" He is waiting still
though small chance of a reward seems
! to be his.
There" she says, rallying with ar
effort, and compelling herself to meet hi
gaze, ''you are pardoned, il pardon IL
what you want"
~ want more than that" says Mr.
Massareene, who, having gained wha
he had not dared to hope for half an hou
ago, now desires more. 81 want"-
"Of that another day." interrupts sh,
playfully. "When will you learn to b,
wise, Geraldi"
when l marry you, my sweet Min
erva,"
''rhat will be never, then, I great,
doubt me-"
''Stll, there is doubt, you see."
| ITO talk like this to me is waste o
time"
"To talk to you could never be vast
of time"
mot II you talk sensibly."
| And sure what can be more sensibl
than TO tell you that l love your" say
the Irishman; "unless il would be you
saying that you will take me for you
husbandr'
That would mean throwing up friend
and fortune"